Fanara released at Howard Payne

Howard Payne today announced that Steve Fanara has been released
as head coach of the Yellow Jacket football team. The university
will pursue its options regarding the head coach position
immediately.

Fanara, who joined the HPU football staff in 2005 as defensive
coordinator and became head coach in 2008, led the Yellow Jackets
to a 1-9 overall record this season. The program was 9-31 overall,
5-27 in the American Southwest Conference under his leadership.

“I appreciate the hard work and effort that Coach Fanara
has given our football program over the last seven years,”
said Mike Jones, HPU’s director of athletics. “He
has been an asset to our department, as well as a close friend.

Fanara has coached 18 All-Conference players and had 17 players
named Academic All-Conference in his four seasons as head coach. In
2008, his team was named the American Southwest Conference
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Sportsmanship Award winner for
football.

“I am grateful to Coach Fanara and his family for the
investment of time and energy into the HPU football program over
the past seven years,” said Brent Marsh, vice president for
student life and dean of students. “His many positive
contributions have not gone unnoticed.”